Health Concerns

Fire and Smoke Health Concerns
Frequently Asked Questions

Please note, we’re not medically trained, we’re just trying to assist and recommend, so if you want more details and facts please contact your doctor

Q What is the health threat from fires and smoke?A Smoke from wildfires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees and other plant materials. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases.
How can I tell if the smoke is affecting my family or me?

If you have heart or lung disease, smoke might make your symptoms worse.

People who have heart disease might experience chest pain, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and fatigue

Smoke may worsen symptoms for people who have pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as respiratory allergies, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in the following ways:

Inability to breathe normally

Cough with or without mucus

Chest discomfort

Wheezing and shortness of breath

When smoke levels are high enough, even healthy people may experience some of these symptoms.

Q I have a head cold; will I be affected more?A Most persons who are exposed to thick smoke will not have health problems. The level, extent, and duration of exposure, age, individual susceptibility and other factors play a significant role in determining whether or not someone will experience smoke-related problems. If you are experiencing serious medical problems for any reason, seek medical treatment immediately.

Q How can I protect myself and my family from the harmful effects of smoke?A The best thing to do is to limit your exposure to the smoke. Specific strategies to decrease exposure to smoke include staying indoors whenever possible, using air conditioners (air conditioned homes usually have lower air exchange rates than homes that use open windows for ventilation), using mechanical or electronic air cleaners, keeping windows closed while driving in a vehicle, reducing physical activity levels, and minimizing other sources of air pollution (e.g., smoking, wood burning stove use, burning candles, and vacuuming).

Q Will I suffocate in my house?A No. The most common call for evacuation during a wildfire is due to the direct threat of the fire instead of smoke. Leaving the area of thick smoke may be a good protective measure for members of sensitive groups, but it is often difficult to predict the duration, intensity and direction of smoke, making this an unattractive option to many people.
During severe smoke events, clean air shelters can be designated to provide residents with a place to get out of the smoke. These can be located in large commercial buildings, educational facilities, shopping malls or anyplace with effective air conditioning and particle filtration.

Q Will facemasks or dust masks protect me from the smoke?A In order for a mask to provide protection during a smoke event, it must be able to filter very small particles (around 0.3 to 0.1 microns), and it must fit, providing an airtight seal around the wearer’s face.
Dust masks are not enough. Paper “comfort” or “dust” masks commonly found at hardware stores are designed to trap large particles, such as sawdust. These masks will not protect your lungs from smoke. It is best to stay indoors and limit your exposure to the smoke.

Q What about respirator masks, will they help?A Some masks (technically called respirators, but they look more like paper masks) are good enough to filter out 95% of the particulate that is 0.3 microns and larger. Smoke particulate averages about 0.3 microns, so these masks will filter out a significant portion of the smoke if they are properly fit to the wearer’s face. These masks, which may include an exhale valve, do not require cartridge filters. They are marked with one of the following: “R95”, “N95”, or “P95.” Soft masks with higher ratings (R, N or P 99 and R, N, or P 100) are also available and will filter out even more particulate.
There are several drawbacks to recommending widespread mask use in an area affected by wildfire smoke. Most people won’t use the masks correctly and won’t understand the importance of having an airtight seal. For instance, it is impossible to get a good seal on individuals with beards. As a result, the masks will provide little if any protection. Masks are uncomfortable, and they increase resistance to airflow. This makes breathing more difficult and leads to physiological stresses such as increased respiratory rates and heart rates.

Q Will a wet towel or bandana provide any help?A Wet towels or bandanas have the same shortcomings as paper dust masks. We do not recommend that they be used.

Q What should I do if I must drive to work?A Individuals can reduce the amount of particulate in their vehicles by keeping the windows closed. The car’s ventilation systems typically remove a portion of the particulate coming in from outside. For best results, most cars have the ability to recirculate the inside air, which will help keep the particulate levels lower.

Q Our community has an outdoor game scheduled for this evening, should we cancel it?A All persons in areas affected by the wildfire smoke are being advised by DEC, public health officials, and local emergency management officials to limit all outdoor activity and stay indoors whenever possible to minimize exposure to the smoke.
Q Do air-purifying machines help with indoor air?A Air cleaners can be effective at reducing indoor particulate levels, provided the specific cleaner is adequately matched to the indoor environment in which it is placed. However, they tend to be expensive.
Some devices, known as ozone generators, personal ozone devices, “energized oxygen” generators, and “pure air” generators, are sold as air cleaners, but they probably do ore harm than good. Ozone does not remove particles from the air, so would not be effective during smoke events.
Humidifiers are not technically air cleaners and will not significantly reduce the amount of particulate in the air during a smoke event.

Q What should I do about closing up my house when it’s so hot in there?A If you do not have an air conditioner and if it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed, seek shelter elsewhere.
Q If I have respiratory problems and can’t reach my doctor, where should I go?A If you have a medical emergency you should call 911 or go the hospital emergency room immediately.
Q What do I bring if I’m told to evacuate my home?A If asked or instructed to evacuate your home make sure to bring your important family documents (birth certificates, wills, insurance policies, etc) and your family disaster supply kit. Your disaster supply kit should contain enough food, water and supplies to sustain your family for 5-7 days. Don’t forget any medications or special items such as a first aid kit.

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